Home Office

Immigration: Windrush Generation

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whetherthose affected by the Home Office's wrongful detention of Windrush immigrants who have received compensation have been required to sign non-disclosure agreements; and if so, why.

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Windrush immigrants have received compensation; and how many of them, if any, have been required to sign non-disclosure agreements.

baroness williams of trafford: There has been a single payment of compensation for unlawful detention in a Windrush generation case and this was subject to a confidentiality agreement. It has been long-standing practice under successive governments for the Home Office to agree confidentiality when settling immigration and asylum compensation claims, when appropriate.However, we intend to take a different approach in setting up the Windrush compensation scheme. We have committed to establishing a compensation scheme which is tailored to meet the needs of those affected. Nobody who receives compensation through the Windrush compensation scheme will be bound by any condition of confidentiality, unless requested by the individual in question.

Unexplained Wealth Orders

lord rooker: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many unexplained wealth orders have been (1) applied for, (2) granted, and (3) refused since they became available; and how many are subject to appeal.

lord rooker: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many unexplained wealth order applications have been dealt with by closed courts since they became available.

lord rooker: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many applications for unexplained wealth orders relate to individuals based in each of the nations of the UK and the Overseas Territories.

lord rooker: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any of the unexplained wealth orders that have been applied for have been settled by confiscation of wealth or other assets.

baroness williams of trafford: Three UWOs have been applied for, and all granted, since the power came into force in January. All these applications were made without notice and heard in private. Law enforcement are currently exploring the use of more UWO in a number of cases.They relate to the investigation of assets totalling £22 million. Interim freezing orders have also been obtained against the properties, in London and the South East, so they cannot be sold, As the orders all relate to ongoing investigations, it would be inappropriate to release further information at the moment. The annual Asset Recovery Statistical Bulletin, published in September, will include data on the number of UWOs obtained in the previous financial year.

Overseas Students: English Language

lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they issue guidance to universities on the appropriate level of spoken and written English for overseas students undertaking a degree course.

baroness williams of trafford: Guidance on the appropriate level of spoken and written English overseas students are required to meet when applying for a visa to undertake a degree course is provided by the Home Office to universities. This is contained within the guidance ‘Tier 4 of the Points Based System: Guidance for Sponsors Document 2: Sponsorship Duties’ from paragraph 5.6 – 5.19 located on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sponsor-a-tier-4-student-guidance-for-educators.Students studying a course at degree level or above must be able to demonstrate they are competent at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Higher Education Institutions (HEI) may set the level of English language ability to a higher level than that set out in Home Office guidance, however the minimum level must be met.If the student is applying to study at an HEI, the institution can assess whether the student meets the required level of English language ability. If the student is not studying at an HEI, they will need to demonstrate their English language ability by being successful in a secure English language test (SELT) from one of our approved test providers.

Informers: Children

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children under the age of 18 are used as covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) in England and Wales, broken down by police force; and what was the total number of children used as CHIS in year since 2010.

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many successful convictions in the last five years have been based on the evidence of children under the age of 18 acting as covert human intelligence sources.

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many applications for authorisation for children under the age of 18 to act as covert human intelligence sources were rejected in each year since 2010, broken down by police force.

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice, training and guidance is issued to police and intelligence officers to ensure that children under the age of 18 who are used as covert human intelligence sources are protected and treated in line with the requirements of the Protection of Children Act 1999 and the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to improve the independent inspections of the use of children under the age of 18 as covert human intelligence sources (CHIS); and whether they have any plans to ensure that these inspections are carried out before these children are deployed as CHIS.

baroness williams of trafford: The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) is the legislation which governs the use of covert human intelligence sources (‘CHIS’). RIPA provides that restrictions on certain groups of CHIS can be imposed in secondary legislation. In 2000 the then Government put in place the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Juveniles) Order 2000 which established an enhanced set of safeguards in relation to the use of juveniles as CHIS.While investigators may wish to avoid the use of young people as CHIS, we must recognise that some juveniles are involved in serious crimes, as perpetrators and victims. Consequently, young persons may have unique access to information that is important in preventing and prosecuting gang violence and terrorism. This includes the troubling ‘county lines’ phenomenon which, along with the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation, has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.Those operating these powers have access to extensive guidance to ensure that the powers are used appropriately and that juveniles are suitably safeguarded. This includes the codes of practice and internal guidance. By way of example the CHIS guidelines issued by the National Police Chiefs Council runs to some 380 pages, which includes a chapter dedicated to Juvenile CHIS.The welfare of the CHIS is taken very seriously in any deployment and the code of practice provides clear guidance on this issue saying at paragraph 6.13:“Any public authority deploying a CHIS should take into account the safety and welfare of that CHIS when carrying out actions in relation to an authorisation or tasking, and the foreseeable consequences to others of that tasking. Before authorising the use or conduct of a CHIS, the authorising officer should ensure that a risk assessment is carried out to determine the risk to the CHIS of any tasking and the likely consequences should the role of the CHIS become known. This should consider the risks relating to the specific tasking and circumstances of each authorisation separately, and should be updated to reflect developments during the course of the deployment, as well as after the deployment if contact is maintained. The ongoing security and welfare of the CHIS, after the cancellation of the authorisation, should also be considered at the outset and reviewed throughout the period of authorised activity by that CHIS.”Welfare is even more important in cases involving young persons and the legislation requires that any decision to authorise the use of a juvenile as a CHIS must be accompanied by an enhanced risk assessment that takes into account the physical and psychological welfare of the young person.Additionally, in 2015 the National Police Chiefs Council endorsed and published the National Strategy for the Policing of Children and Young people. This strategy says “It is crucial that in all encounters with the police those below the age of 18 should be treated as children ﬁrst. All officers must have regard to their safety, welfare and well-being as required under S10 and S11 of the Children Act 2004 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.”Since 2000 the police and other public authorities have been applying those safeguards on the rare occasions where juveniles have been deployed as CHIS. Their use has been subject to the oversight of the Surveillance Commissioner and more recently the Investigatory Powers Commissioner. The Commissioner, like his predecessors, provides the guarantee of impartial and independent scrutiny of the use of these tactics. In relation to Juvenile CHIS there is enhanced oversight with the former Chief Surveillance Commissioner, Lord Judge, making clear during a debate on this issue in Parliament on 18 July 2018 that “...in relation to any CHIS activity involving juveniles, the inspectors pay particular attention to see that the issues of welfare and so on have been properly addressed”.The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, and previously the Surveillance Commissioner, is responsible for deciding what statistics to collect and publish. Statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS authorisations or the outcomes of cases in which they are used are not collected centrally or published but we know, from discussions with investigators, that juvenile CHIS are authorised in very small numbers as young people will not normally be deployed in this role unless there is no other way to achieve the same result. Going forward, Lord Justice Fulford will collect statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS in place and will consider how this information and his oversight in this area can appropriately be included in his annual reports in the future.

Informers: Children

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children under the age of 18 were recruited as covert human intelligence sources in each year since 2010, broken down by police force.

baroness williams of trafford: The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) is the legislation which governs the use of covert human intelligence sources (‘CHIS’). RIPA provides that restrictions on certain groups of CHIS can be imposed in secondary legislation. In 2000 the then Government put in place the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Juveniles) Order 2000 which established an enhanced set of safeguards in relation to the use of juveniles as CHIS.While investigators may wish to avoid the use of young people as CHIS, we must recognise that some juveniles are involved in serious crimes, as perpetrators and victims. Consequently, young persons may have unique access to information that is important in preventing and prosecuting gang violence and terrorism. This includes the troubling ‘county lines’ phenomenon which, along with the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation, has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.Those operating these powers have access to extensive guidance to ensure that the powers are used appropriately and that juveniles are suitably safeguarded. This includes the codes of practice and internal guidance. By way of example the CHIS guidelines issued by the National Police Chiefs Council runs to some 380 pages, which includes a chapter dedicated to Juvenile CHIS.The welfare of the CHIS is taken very seriously in any deployment and the code of practice provides clear guidance on this issue saying at paragraph 6.13:“Any public authority deploying a CHIS should take into account the safety and welfare of that CHIS when carrying out actions in relation to an authorisation or tasking, and the foreseeable consequences to others of that tasking. Before authorising the use or conduct of a CHIS, the authorising officer should ensure that a risk assessment is carried out to determine the risk to the CHIS of any tasking and the likely consequences should the role of the CHIS become known. This should consider the risks relating to the specific tasking and circumstances of each authorisation separately, and should be updated to reflect developments during the course of the deployment, as well as after the deployment if contact is maintained. The ongoing security and welfare of the CHIS, after the cancellation of the authorisation, should also be considered at the outset and reviewed throughout the period of authorised activity by that CHIS.”Welfare is even more important in cases involving young persons and the legislation requires that any decision to authorise the use of a juvenile as a CHIS must be accompanied by an enhanced risk assessment that takes into account the physical and psychological welfare of the young person.Additionally, in 2015 the National Police Chiefs Council endorsed and published the National Strategy for the Policing of Children and Young people. This strategy says “It is crucial that in all encounters with the police those below the age of 18 should be treated as children ﬁrst. All officers must have regard to their safety, welfare and well-being as required under S10 and S11 of the Children Act 2004 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.”Since 2000 the police and other public authorities have been applying those safeguards on the rare occasions where juveniles have been deployed as CHIS. Their use has been subject to the oversight of the Surveillance Commissioner and more recently the Investigatory Powers Commissioner. The Commissioner, like his predecessors, provides the guarantee of impartial and independent scrutiny of the use of these tactics. In relation to Juvenile CHIS there is enhanced oversight with the former Chief Surveillance Commissioner, Lord Judge, making clear during a debate on this issue in Parliament on 18 July 2018 that “...in relation to any CHIS activity involving juveniles, the inspectors pay particular attention to see that the issues of welfare and so on have been properly addressed”.The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, and previously the Surveillance Commissioner, is responsible for deciding what statistics to collect and publish. Statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS authorisations or the outcomes of cases in which they are used are not collected centrally or published but we know, from discussions with investigators, that juvenile CHIS are authorised in very small numbers as young people will not normally be deployed in this role unless there is no other way to achieve the same result. Going forward, Lord Justice Fulford will collect statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS in place and will consider how this information and his oversight in this area can appropriately be included in his annual reports in the future.

Immigration: Children and Young People

baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the statement by the Minister of Immigration on 21 June (HC Deb, cols 508–20) that vulnerable EU citizens applying for settled status will be provided with assistance at contact centres, whether comparable support is provided for children and young people applying for limited leave to remain or citizenship; and if not, why not.

baroness williams of trafford: All customers, including children and young people, have access to customer contact centre services when making an application in any category. Staff at the centre will signpost the customer to the most appropriate part of guidance available on GOV.UK, and where appropriate they will direct them to support services outside of the Home Office.The contact centre staff are trained to identify, support and escalate any vulnerable cases, including vulnerable children, vulnerable adults and those with assisted digital needs. These customer enquiries are then referred on to the appropriate team.We continually review training guidance and procedures for our contact centre staff to ensure any vulnerable groups are identified and supported as necessary.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Music

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extra steps to be taken to support the live music industry.

lord ashton of hyde: The live music industry is a vital part of the UK’s music ecosystem, contributing £1bn to the economy in 2016. We have undertaken a number of measures to support live music. Most recently, we announced that the Agent of Change principle will be included in the National Planning Policy Framework, helping to protect music venues when new housing is built. We will continue working with industry on a range of issues affecting the live sector.

Treasury

Inheritance Tax: Siblings

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer byBaroness Williams of Trafford on 20 July (HL Deb, col 1413), what estimate they have made of (1) the savings in social and other state costs of free care provided for siblings living in sibling-couple households, and (2) the annual income to HM Treasury as a result of the tax applied to siblings when one sibling-couple partner dies.

lord bates: The government does not have an estimate of the savings in social care from free care provided by siblings living in these circumstances.The government has not assessed the inheritance tax liabilities in these circumstances. All individuals benefit from a £325,000 tax free threshold for inheritance tax.

Financial Services: Trade Competitiveness

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ensure that the City of London remains a truly competitive, global financial hub after Brexit; and if they do, whether such plans would involve cuts to corporation tax.

lord bates: The UK is home to the world’s preeminent financial centre and the government is committed to maintaining and enhancing this position post-Brexit. In addition to our natural advantages, such as a central time zone and the English language, we have strengths across all the major sectors – banking, asset management, and insurance – alongside a globally respected regulatory system, and world-class legal and professional services.Alongside these strengths, we also already have a competitive tax offer. The UK corporation tax rate is the lowest in the G20 at just 19 per cent, and is legislated to fall to 17 per cent in 2020. All together, these factors have made the City of London the world’s leading financial centre and will continue to do so.As the Chancellor of the Exchequer set out in his Mansion House speech in June, the government has a long-term vision for the future of UK financial services, based on ensuring the continued innovation, resilience, and openness of the sector. This includes strengthening the UK’s already world-leading positions in the markets of the future, whether in Fintech, green and sustainable finance, or rupee and renminbi products.

Debts

lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to meet their timetable for implementing the breathing space debt scheme as announced by the Economic Secretary to HM Treasury in October 2017.

lord bates: The government is currently undertaking a detailed policy design process on the introduction of breathing space and a statutory debt repayment plan. The government is working in close conjunction with stakeholders to design a scheme that works for all those who would benefit from the scheme’s protections. The government will consult on a single policy proposal based on this work later this summer, and then intends to lay regulations to establish the scheme in 2019.

Bank Services: Rural Areas

lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure continued access to (1) free automated teller machines, and (2) bank branches, particularly in rural communities.

lord bates: The Government recognises that widespread free access to cash remains extremely important to the day-to-day lives of many consumers and businesses across the UK. Government has been engaging and will continue to engage with the regulators and industry, including LINK (the scheme that runs the UK’s ATM system), to ensure that it is maintained. The Government established the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) in 2015 with a statutory objective to ensure that the UK’s payment systems work in the interests of their users. As part of this, the PSR is closely monitoring developments within ATM provision and has committed to using its powers to act should LINK behave in a way that conflicts with its statutory objectives. Regarding bank branches, the decision to close a branch is a commercial issue for the management team of the bank involved. However, Government believes it is important the impact on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible. The Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing. It also helps customers to understand the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board. Government also considers it important that all customers, wherever they live and especially those who are vulnerable, can still access over the counter services. That is why we support the Post Office’s Banking Framework Agreement, which enables 99% of banks’ personal and 95% of banks’ small business customers to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches.

Bank Services

lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many working people in the UK they estimate do not have bank accounts; and what steps they are taking to assist such people;and what particular measures they are taking relating to those of this total who are homeless or sleepingrough or may previously have been such.

lord bates: The Government does not make estimates of the number of working people who do not have access to bank accounts. However, in 2017, the FCA published the results of the Financial Lives Survey which estimated that 1.3 million UK adults (3% of the UK adult population) were unbanked, i.e. have no current account or alternative e-money account. The Financial Lives Survey report contains further information on the characteristics of the unbanked and their preferences to have a bank account. The FCA intend to repeat the Financial Lives Survey on a regular basis in future. The Government takes financial inclusion very seriously and is working to ensure everyone can have access to financial services. With regards to those who are sleeping rough or are homeless, the Government recognises that it can be difficult for such individuals to access bank accounts due to their lack of permanent address. Under the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015, the 9 largest UK current account providers are required to offer fee-free basic bank accounts to consumers who are either unbanked or who are not eligible for a standard current account. Regulation 23 specifically states that consumers with no fixed address are to be considered eligible and in Regulation 18 specifies that firms must not discriminate against consumers by reason of their place of residence. As these accounts are particularly suitable for more vulnerable customers, Government encourages the banks who provide them to be flexible with identification and verification checks, within the remit of the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG) guidance. The JMLSG guidance encourages firms to consider a wide range of evidence to prove identification and to act reasonably where customers do not have more conventional forms of identification.

Child Tax Credit

the lord bishop of durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by HMRC,Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics: Provisional Awards Geographical Analysis April 2018, published on 28 June,in relation to the policy to provide support via Child Tax Credit for a maximum of two children, whether they have undertaken an analysis to determine why the total number of affectedhouseholdin the first year of the policy is substantially lower than the estimate published in their impact assessmentof July 2015; and if so, what are the reasons for the difference between the projected and actual outcomes.

lord bates: The difference between the estimate in the Impact Assessment and the statistic published in “Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit claimants: statistics related to the policy to provide support for a maximum of 2 children, April 2018” is due to a combination factors, including improvements to the methodology used to identify the affected population, divergences between the economic determinants used to model the policy and actual outturn, and changes in the underlying claimant population. No formal analysis of the separate impact of these factors has been made.

Taxation: Disclosure of Information

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the consultation paper, Amending HMRC’s Civil Information Powers, published on 10 July,which contained the proposal to remove the "requirement to seek approval from the tribunal or the taxpayer before a third-party notice could be issued",what protection and oversight they intend to introduce for taxpayers with regard to the provision of information from third parties.

lord bates: The Government believes that every HMRC information power should have an appropriate and proportional safeguard. The ongoing consultation asks for views on the appropriate safeguard to allow HMRC to use a third party information power effectively whilst still protecting taxpayers’ rights. All responses will be considered before any final decisions are taken.

Financial Services

viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to advance the UK’s position as an international financial centre.

lord bates: The UK is home to the world’s preeminent financial centre and the government is committed to maintaining and enhancing this position. In addition to our natural advantages, such as a central time zone and the English language, we have strengths across all the major sectors – banking, asset management, and insurance – alongside a globally respected regulatory system, and world-class legal and professional services. As the Chancellor of the Exchequer set out in his Mansion House speech in June, the government has a long-term vision for the future of UK financial services, based on ensuring the continued innovation, resilience, and openness of the sector. This includes strengthening the UK’s already world-leading positions in the markets of the future, whether in Fintech, green and sustainable finance, or rupee and renminbi products.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Krill: Antarctic

lord hunt of chesterton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to collaborate with other countries to seek to (1) control, and (2) conduct research into, the commercial fishing of krill close to the edge of the Antarctic ice sheet.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​The UK has been proactive within the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to strengthen the regulation of krill fishing around Antarctica. The British Antarctic Survey has led on a range of relevant scientific activities, including with international partners, to determine the abundance of krill, the factors that influence it's distribution, and the crucial role that krill plays in the Antarctic ecosystem. Work also includes studies to explore the overlap between fishing vessels and krill-eating seabirds and marine mammals, and the risks to these predators. The UK has proposed to CCAMLR that krill fishing activities should be moved offshore to avoid any potential overlap with the foraging areas of breeding wildlife. The UK has therefore welcomed the recent announcement by the Association of Responsible Krill Harvesting Operators (ARK) to voluntarily implement such measures. The UK also recently secured agreement by CCAMLR to protect marine areas that are newly exposed by ice shelf collapse or retreat around the Antarctic Peninsula.

British Overseas Territories

viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any British Overseas Territory has made representations to them regarding new UK legislation; if so, which Territory; and on what subject.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Those Overseas Territories with financial centres, namely Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar and Montserrat have expressed concern about new legislation on sanctions and anti-money laundering (the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act), which became law on 23 May 2018; in particular the requirement to establish a publicly accessible register of the beneficial ownership of companies registered in each government's jurisdiction.The Prime Minister held a conference call with leaders of affected Territories on 24 May to discuss the issue and a further discussion was held at the Joint Ministerial Council in June. Shortly after the passage of this legislation I visited Anguilla, the Cayman Islands and Montserrat, where I held discussions on this topic. Similarly, in late July I visited the British Virgin Islands and met with representatives of the financial services industry and government of BVI. The Government understands the strength of feeling on this issue and is committed to working collaboratively with affected Territories on implementation.

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements

lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on new trade deals with (1) Mexico, (2) Ethiopia, (3) the Philippines, (4) Egypt, and (5) Vietnam; how many visits to those countries have been made since 23 June 2016 by ministers and officials of the Department for International Trade; and what was the total cost of such visits.

lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progressthey have made on new trade deals with (1) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (2) Iran, (3) Turkey, (4) Thailand, and (5) Burma; how many visits to those countries have been made since 23 June 2016 by ministers and officials of the Department for International Trade; and what was the total cost of such visits.

lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progressthey havemade on new trade deals with (1) South Africa, (2) Tanzania, (3) South Korea, (4) Colombia, and (5) Kenya; how many visits to those countries have been made since 23 June 2016 by ministers and officials of the Department for International Trade; and what was the total cost of such visits.

lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progressthey have made on new trade deals with (1) Argentina, (2) Ukraine, (3) Algeria, (4) Uganda, and (5) Iraq; how many visits to those countries have been made since 23 June 2016 by ministers and officials of the Department for International Trade; and what was the total cost of such visits.

baroness fairhead: The United Kingdom cannot negotiate its own trade agreements while it is still a member of the European Union. The UK remains committed to supporting ongoing EU negotiations with third countries and will remain a strong advocate for free trade. As the UK leaves the EU, the Government is seeking to ensure continuity for our existing EU trade agreements, including those with: Algeria, Colombia, Egypt, Mexico, South Africa (as part of the Southern African Development Community Economic Partnership Agreement), South Korea and Ukraine, as well as with Vietnam once the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement has been ratified. The UK continues to support the implementation of the EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the East Africa Community (EAC), including Kenya. If all EAC partners find a way to sign the EPA, the UK will also seek to replicate the effects of this agreement before we leave the EU. The Government is talking with a range of key trade partners to explore the best ways of delivering our priorities for our trade and investment relationships. These include working groups with Colombia, Mexico, South Korea and Turkey, and commercial dialogues with Argentina and Thailand. We have introduced legislation which enables the UK to put in place a trade preference scheme for developing countries which will, as a minimum, provide the same level of access as the EU’s scheme. Ethiopia, the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma, Tanzania and Uganda are currently beneficiaries of the EU scheme. The Department for International Trade (DIT) is working with all the listed countries on promoting trade and investment relationships, including through our overseas network of embassies and High Commissions. The number of visits to these countries by Ministers from DIT are given in the tables below. DIT’s Permanent Secretary (Antonia Romeo) and Second Permanent Secretary (Crawford Falconer) have not visited these countries in the period specified. Visits to these countries by other DIT officials is not recorded centrally. CountryTotal visits (23 June 2016 – present)Mexico3Ethiopia1Philippines1Egypt1Vietnam2  DRC0Iran0Turkey3Thailand3Burma1 South Africa3Tanzania0South Korea3Colombia2Kenya1 Argentina2Ukraine0Algeria0Uganda1Iraq0 Details of expenditure for DIT Ministerial travel overseas is published on the Gov.uk website on a quarterly basis: www.gov.uk/government/publications/dit-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel-january-to-march-2018.

Trade Agreements: Japan

lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recently signed pact on free trade agreed between the EU and Japan; and what assessment they have made of whetherany future deal between the UK and Japan after Brexit wouldbe (1) better than, (2) worse than, or (3) the same as this agreed deal.

lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to negotiate a new trade deal with Japan after Brexit; and if so, how long they anticipate such negotiations would take.

baroness fairhead: We welcome the recent signature of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The UK and Japan are natural allies for free trade, and last year total bilateral trade reached £28bn, a 14.8% increase from the previous year.Last year, our Prime Ministers agreed to ‘elevate our security and prosperity partnership to the next level’ as the UK leaves the EU. As my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade agreed with his counterparts during his recent trip to Japan, we will take this forward by using the current EU-Japan EPA as a basis for a new and stronger partnership.